A new and improved pneumatically shaped ear plug comprising and constructed of an elastomeric hollow body of sheet material dimensioned to and constructed for being inserted into the ear canal or ear cavity, and end of the cylindrical hollow body being of a material performing as a diaphragmatic member so that when it is depressed, the volume of air therein extends the cylindrical side, and vice versa, said end member having a lead or handle means for retracting said diaphragm when it is depressed for restoring it to its original condition, said end member being of such resiliency of said elastomeric material that it retains its depressed condition when it has been so depressed, and retains its released condition when it has been released, thereby constituting a dual state condition as operated upon by action on said diaphragmatic member.
An ear protection plug of elastic material which is characterized in that it is in the form of a closed gas-filled hollow body of approximately ovoid longitudinal section, so as to have a first relatively thick end portion (3) and an opposite relatively narrow second end portion (2). Each end portion has a decreasing cross-sectional diameter in the direction towards the respective end, such that the plug has two opposite insertion ends and permits optionally inserting the ear protection plug either with the thick or with the narrow insertion end in the ear canal to fit ear canals of varying size and/or form. A method for the production of an ear protection plug according to the invention is characterized in that one part (11) of a mould block divided in two parts (11, 12) having a plurality of cells forming moulds and separated from each other by mould walls, is immersed in liquid plastic material such that the cells of the immersed mould part (11) are filled with liquid plastic, whereupon the mould parts are assembled and the mould block is rotated about one or more axes and is subjected to suitable temperature conditions for distribution and setting of the plastic material on the inner side of the mould cells (13).
A hybrid BTE and CIC hearing aid has a BTE component which is worn behind the patient's ear and a CIC component which is worn in the bony portion of the patient's ear canal. The BTE and CIC components are connected together with a wire cable. Electroacoustic feedback is reduced or eliminated, allowing gain to be increased. The patient is not disturbed by the occlusion effect.
An acoustic ear plug comprises, individually or in combination, a first element to be inserted within the ear canal and comprising an elongate hollow cylinder having a tapered forward insertion end and a pliant wall of acoustic barrier material on the forward portion and over the majority of the length of said cylinder, said wall being compressible and having compression recovery characteristics accommodating firm and conformable reception of the element deeply into the ear canal to completely block the canal over a significant axial distance, the rearward portion of the cylinder defining a stem facilitating insertion and removal of the element; and a second element to be inserted in and cover the outer ear and comprising a hollow bell of a size to cover the ear, an acoustic barrier wall on the outer surface of the bell, and a shape retaining but resilient ear piece on the forward portion of the bell accommodating firm and conformable reception of the ear piece in the outer ear to completely cover and block the ear canal, said ear piece including a tubular extension centrally thereof accommodating firm and conformable reception therein of the rearward portion of said cylinder and extension thereof into juxtaposition with the forward surface of the bell; said cylinder and said bell being evacuated and when used in combination acting in series to mitigate transmission of sound into the ear, said pliant wall and said ear piece mitigating transmission of sound into the ear around said cylinder and also dampening out vibrations imparted respectively to said cylinder and said bell for further mitigating transmission of sound into the ear.
An earplug for use by an underwater diver includes a tubular vessel of soft flexible material adapted for insertion into the auditory meatus, a plurality of sealing rings surrounding the vessel to seat against the interior surface of the auditory meatus to provide a watertight seal, and a flexible inner vessel end inwardly rolled back upon itself to define a variable volume between the inner end, the interior surface of the auditory meatus, and the eardrum. The variable volume expands and contracts as the diver ascends or descends to maintain pressure equalization across the eardrum, yet prevent the entry of water into the auditory meatus. If the eardrum should rupture, the inner end of the vessel flexes to its full extent but still prevents the entry of water into the middle and inner ear regions.
An ear tip for use with a stethoscope, audio headset or like device, the ear tip being of a construction and design that provides substantial deformation of the ear tip under normal stethoscope pressures such that in use the ear tip is seated comfortably and conformably against the ear canal opening.
